Poecile rufescens
The Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) is a small, agile passerine, instantly recognizable by its striking rufous-chestnut back and flanks, a distinctive feature among North American chickadees. Averaging 11.5 to 13 cm in length with a wingspan of about 19 cm and weighing 9 to 12 grams, it possesses the characteristic large head, short neck, and small, stout bill of its family. Its head pattern features a dark black cap, contrasting bright white cheek patches, and a prominent black...
Primarily inhabits dense coniferous and mixed evergreen forests, particularly favoring coastal redwood and fir forests, extending into suburban parks and gardens with suitable tree cover. Typically found at low to mid-elevations.
Feeds predominantly on insects, spiders, and other invertebrates during spring and summer, actively gleaning from foliage and bark. In fall and winter, their diet shifts to conifer seeds, berries, and occasionally suet from feeders, which they often cache.
Chestnut-backed Chickadees are highly active, diurnal birds, known for their acrobatic foraging throughout the day. They typically roost communally in tree cavities or dense foliage on cold winter nights, sometimes sharing with other species. Foraging involves gleaning insects, spiders, and their...
The Chestnut-backed Chickadee is a resident species, primarily found along the Pacific Coast of North America. Its range extends from southeastern Alaska, south through coastal British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, reaching as far south as central California. Within California, its distributi...
Least Concern
- The Chestnut-backed Chickadee often serves as the 'leader' of mixed-species foraging flocks in winter, guiding nuthatches, kinglets, and warblers through the forest. - Unlike many cavity nesters, they frequently excavate their own nest holes in soft, rotting wood, typically snags or stumps. - T...